Archive

BLACK HOLE researches and shares an odyssey where three Black performers create a trinity of vigor, Afrofuturism, and embrace. Engulfed in an evocative soundscape of original music, sound samples, and spoken word, the dancers embark on a demanding hour-long journey in which their tenacity and grace are emphasized by cinematic video projections and stark, monochromatic lights. Mesmerizing and hauntingly magical, BLACK HOLE constitutes the final installment of Shamel Pitt’s Black Trilogy—marking the initial meeting between this choreographer and the artists of TRIBE.

March 21-23
8:00pm

Concerto Dance presents On Our Way at The Southern Theater.

March 22, 7:30pm
March 23, 7:30pm
March 24, 2:30pm

On Our Way features a mixed repertoire of modern and jazz dance works driven by musicality and virtuosity aiming to uplift the human spirit. The program includes new works by local guest artists Erinn Liebhard (Rhythmically Speaking Dance) and Darrius Strong (STRONGmovement) along with works by Artistic Director Jolene Konkel, including the restaging of the 2020 dance film Awakenings for a live audience and the premiere of Konkel’s new jazz dance work, On Our Way.

On Our Way is performed by Hunter Batterson, Addie Beck, Maila Craft, Peter Hoffman, Doug Hooker, Lydia Kantor, Sara Karimi, Helena Magalhães, Shannon Mulcahy, Betsy Nelson, Jake Nehrbass, and Sarah Steichen Stiles.

Run time: Approximately 90 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.

Tickets
Adults: $30 + fees
Students/Seniors: $25 + fees

The evening begins with Taja Will’s new solo Soft Sediment, a haunting vocal and movement meditation on the impact and struggle of Earth’s ecosystem. Will offers a sonic salve both ethereal and guttural, the voices of many ancestors simultaneously. A sprechstimme-like hopeful and pained vocalization is blended with Will’s signature improvisational, emergent and emotive movement aesthetic.

Mathew Janczewski takes to the stage for the first time since 2017 for the premiere of a new duet with longtime ARENA DANCES company member, Dustin Haug, who has collaborated with ARENA since 2012. Semipermeable fluid set of ideas highlights this specific and present relationship of the two, allowing for each to move through together from a certain known history of ideas shared.

The program concludes with the choreographic collaboration Here, Dear Life, offering a club-like atmosphere of daring ecstasy, collective revolt, and personal reclamations. Twin Cities beloved queer DJ Queen Duin joins a powerhouse ensemble of movers: Leila Awadallah, D Hunter, Imagine Joy (Demetrius McClendon), Sarah McCullough, Leslie O’Neal and apprentices Kendall Edstrom, Annika Johansson, Kae McMahon and Río Saúl García Ramírez.

Saturday, March 23 at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 24 at 2:00pm – pay as able

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see world-renowned ballet dancers Daniil Simkin and Sklyar Brandt perform live in what is considered the most romantic ballet of all time.

Celebrate 25 years with Minneapolis and Saint Paul’s own Metropolitan Ballet and experience the romance and beauty of Giselle—the classical tale of a young peasant girl whose heart breaks when it is unveiled that the man she loves is a nobleman betrothed to marry another. Giselle defines the romantic era, featuring the iconic and passionate dance of the Wilis in Act Two.

Skylar Brandt of New York is a Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre (ABT). In 2022, Brandt was named to the Forbes “30 Under 30” list of influential leaders and entrepreneurs.

Daniil Simkin of Russia is a Principal Dancer at ABT. Beginning with the 2018-2019 season, he joined Staatsballett Berlin as a Principal Dancer while maintaining his position at ABT. He performs worldwide.

Saturday, March 23 at 7:30pm
Sunday, March 24 at 2:00pm

Music by Adolph Adam, with live accompaniment by the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Yuri Ivan.
Choreography by Coralli and Perrot

Northrop and the University of Minnesota are not endorsing or sponsoring the activities conducted by Metropolitan Ballet on the University of Minnesota campus. The relationship between Northrop and the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan Ballet is solely that of licensor and licensee.

Join Young Dance in building and playing miniature golf on Saturday, March 23 at Lake Monster Brewing Company. At this whimsical celebration of creativity, we share our passion for movement with the local community.

1:00-4:00pm
Everyone is invited to build a miniature golf hole with the theme of Alice in Wonderland. You can sign up to build and design the course individually or bring a group of friends. Materials like cardboard, pieces of gutter, tubes, wood, pallets, nails, screws, tape, and more will be provided, or you can bring your own supplies. Skilled construction workers will attend to help make your building dreams come true.

4:00pm
The course will be open to the public, and players can choose their own price to play. The suggested donation price is $15 per person, and all proceeds go to expanding access to Young Dance’s programming and mission to transform lives through movement.

Since 1987, Young Dance has worked to transform lives through movement by fostering an inclusive community where creativity flourishes. Young Dance encourages peer-to-peer mentorship and collaboration in the making of dance. This year, we serve over 230 students, aged 1 to 18, at our studio hub in St. Paul and an additional 1,200 participants through community events and partnerships. Learn more about Young Dance at youngdance.org.

If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please reach out to info@youngdance.org or call 612-423-3064.

The 2024 Build-Your-Own Minature Golf Gala is sponsored by Blaze Credit Union, The Costume Collective, Home Depot: Store #2806, Lake Monster Brewing Co., The Makery, Metro Transit, No Mythic, Play It Again Sports St. Paul, Welna Ace Hardware: Store #7166, Urban Refurbishment, and Wilson Golf Group.

Sunday, March 24
12:00-1:30pm
Cowles Center Flex Space, Main Lobby

Welcome, dancers, enthusiasts, and industry professionals! Today, we embark on a journey to delve into the intricacies of networking and relationship-building within the dance world. Our aim is to learn from those who have paved paths of success through fostering meaningful connections. Let’s explore together how cultivating relationships can propel careers, inspire collaborations, and enrich our experiences within the dance community. Come ready to make a new connection!

Free and open to the public. Snacks provided; transportation stipend provided with pre-registration.

Moderator: Colin Edwards, Programs Coordinator and McKnight Artist Fellowship Programs Assistant for Dance and for Choreographers